Tag: Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

Tense Moments in Federal Court Before Split Decision Clears Syed Saddiq

PUTRAJAYA, July 13 — Tension gripped the Federal Court on Monday as the fate of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman hung in the balance following a split decision among a three-member judicial panel hearing the prosecution's final appeal. The courtroom fell silent after the first two judges delivered opposing views, leaving the final outcome to the third judge. Throughout the proceedings, the 34-year-old former Youth and Sports Minister, seated alone outside the dock, remained composed with his head bowed as he listened to the judgments. Court of Appeal President Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, who chaired the panel, was the first to deliver his judgment. He ruled that Syed Saddiq should be acquitted of the first charge of abetting criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million. However, Abu Bakar found the former Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) president guilty of one charge of misappropriation of RM120,000 and two money laundering charges involving RM50,000 each linked to funds belonging to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (ARMADA). He proposed a sentence of six months' imprisonment and one stroke of the cane for the misappropriation offence. For each money laundering charge, he proposed six months' imprisonment and a RM5 million fine, with an additional two years' jail for each count in default of payment. The proceedings then took a dramatic turn when Federal Court judge Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali delivered a dissenting judgment, disagreeing with Abu Bakar's findings. Che Mohd Ruzima upheld the Court of Appeal's earlier ruling, saying the conviction was unsafe and should not be reinstated. He found that the prosecution had failed to prove essential elements of the offences, including allegations that Syed Saddiq had dishonestly misappropriated RM120,000 belonging to ARMADA. He also noted that there was no evidence showing the funds collected were owned by Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise, weakening the prosecution's case. With one judge favouring conviction and another supporting acquittal, the appeal stood evenly split, leaving the final verdict to Federal Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah. Recognising the significance of the moment, Abu Bakar informed both the prosecution and defence that the final decision would depend on Sequerah's judgment and asked whether they wished to take a short break before proceedings continued. Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin responded humorously, saying, "I need to go to the restroom," prompting the court to adjourn for 10 minutes. When the hearing resumed, family members and supporters of Syed Saddiq watched anxiously from the public gallery as Sequerah began reading his judgment. Sequerah ultimately agreed with Che Mohd Ruzima, holding that the Court of Appeal had correctly found that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. "The respondent was lawfully entitled to the funds. I agree with the findings of the Court of Appeal and find no error that warrants appellate intervention," he said. His decision resulted in a 2-1 majority ruling dismissing the prosecution's appeal and fully acquitting Syed Saddiq of all charges. The judgment was immediately followed by applause and cheers from Syed Saddiq's family members and supporters inside the courtroom, bringing an emotional conclusion to the high-profile case. -- MINUTESMY

PUTRAJAYA, July 13 — Tension gripped the Federal Court on Monday as the fate of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman hung in the balance following a split decision among a three-member judicial panel hearing the prosecution’s final appeal. The courtroom fell silent after the first two judges delivered opposing views, leaving […]

Federal Court Acquits Syed Saddiq of Corruption and Money Laundering Charges

PUTRAJAYA, July 13 — Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been fully acquitted of corruption and money laundering charges after the Federal Court dismissed the prosecution's appeal against an earlier Court of Appeal decision. In a 2-1 majority ruling, Federal Court judges Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah held that the Court of Appeal had not erred in allowing Syed Saddiq's appeal in June last year. They found no legal or procedural errors that warranted the prosecution's challenge. The panel chairman, Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, delivered a dissenting judgment. The Federal Court's decision effectively affirms the Court of Appeal's ruling, setting aside Syed Saddiq's previous conviction and sentence of seven years' imprisonment, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine imposed by the High Court. The case involved two charges of abetting criminal breach of trust, one charge of misappropriation of property and two charges of money laundering involving funds belonging to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (ARMADA). With the apex court dismissing the prosecution's final appeal, Syed Saddiq is now fully acquitted of all charges, bringing the long-running legal proceedings against the former Youth and Sports Minister to a close. -- MINUTESMY

PUTRAJAYA, July 13 — Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been fully acquitted of corruption and money laundering charges after the Federal Court dismissed the prosecution’s appeal against an earlier Court of Appeal decision. In a 2-1 majority ruling, Federal Court judges Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence […]

Syed Saddiq Arrives At Palace Of Justice For Final Decision In Armada Funds Case

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

PUTRAJAYA, June 30 — Muar Member of Parliament (MP) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman arrived at the Palace of Justice today to hear the Federal Court’s decision on whether he will remain acquitted or face the reinstatement of his conviction and sentence over four charges involving alleged misuse of Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) funds. […]